Santa Rosa Code Enforcement Guide for Homeowners

Last updated November 13, 2026. Reviewed by the Cash Home Buyers CA team.

In Santa Rosa, code enforcement starts with a notice of violation, and if the problem is not fixed by the deadline the city can issue an administrative citation, then a second and third citation with rising penalties. The timelines are short: a 7-day window for a preliminary review, 20 days to request a hearing, and 21 days to pay the penalty.

This guide explains the process using Article VI of the city’s code, and what it means if you are trying to sell a property with an open case.

Santa Rosa code enforcement at a glance

Code reference	Santa Rosa City Code, Chapter 1-30, Article VI (Administrative Citation)
First step	Initial notice of violation with a correction deadline
Penalty amounts	Set by a schedule adopted by City Council resolution
Penalty due	Within 21 days of the citation
Preliminary review request	In writing within 7 days of issuance
Hearing request	In writing within 20 calendar days of the first citation
Judicial review	Within 20 calendar days after service of the decision

From notice of violation to citation

The administrative citation is the second stage. A responsible party who has been given an initial notice of violation and does not correct it by the deadline can be issued a citation by an Enforcement Officer or another city employee.

The citation sets a penalty according to the fee schedule, due within 21 days, requires correction within a set time, and lays out appeal rights. It describes the unlawful condition, the code sections violated and any corrections needed to bring the property into compliance.

The practical takeaway is that the notice of violation is your best chance to fix things before any penalty exists, so treat it as urgent.

Escalating citations

Santa Rosa’s code escalates quickly. If you do not correct the violation within the time in the first citation, a second citation can be issued for an increased penalty.

If the second deadline passes, a third citation can be issued for up to the highest amount on the fee schedule.

After the third citation, further uncorrected violations draw citations at the highest prescribed amount, and a new citation may be issued each day the violation continues within any 12 consecutive months.

Because the exact amounts live in a resolution rather than the code text, request the current penalty schedule from the city and compare it to your citation.

Multiple responsible parties

More than one person can be cited, as long as each is a “responsible person” who received a notice of violation and failed to correct.

The city will not collect twice for the same violation, but where several people are cited for it, each is jointly and severally liable for the penalty. For a landlord and tenant, or co-owners, that means the city can collect the whole amount from either one.

Preliminary review: the 7-day option

Santa Rosa offers an informal step before a full hearing. Within seven days of the citation you may ask in writing for a preliminary review by the department head or designee of the issuing officer.

You send the request to the code enforcement officer who issued the citation and include your grounds and any evidence. If the reviewer concludes there was no violation or that you are not responsible, the citation is dismissed.

The city must tell you the result by mail within seven calendar days of your request. Two cautions apply. The review is not a final decision and cannot be taken to court, and filing for it does not extend your compliance time, the penalty due date or the hearing deadline.

You can also use this step to request a waiver of the penalty deposit, but you must show inability to pay with substantial evidence and a declaration under penalty of perjury.

Requesting an administrative citation hearing

You may request a hearing before a Hearing Officer within 20 calendar days of the first administrative citation. The request goes to the Community Development Director in writing and must state your grounds.

Unless the deposit was waived or you have already paid, the request must be accompanied by the penalty amount, because no hearing is held unless the penalty has been paid in advance or a waiver was granted. Missing the deadline or the requirements counts as abandoning the request. Either side may ask for one continuance on good cause.

At the hearing, the citation and officer reports are accepted as prima facie evidence, but you can testify and present evidence. The hearing is informal and not bound by technical evidence rules.

The Hearing Officer then issues a written decision affirming or dismissing the citation, may set conditions and deadlines to correct the violation, and may assess reasonable administrative costs. If the citation is affirmed, the city keeps the penalty on deposit. The decision is mailed and is final on the date it is served.

Judicial review and late fees

You may seek judicial review of the hearing decision under Government Code section 53069.4 within 20 calendar days after service. Late payment is costly: if you pay within 30 days after the due date, a late fee of 50 percent of the fine applies.

After 30 days, the 50 percent fee continues and an extra 10 percent of the overdue fine is added for each month it remains unpaid, up to a maximum late fee of 100 percent of the fine. Paying a penalty does not excuse a continuing violation.

Code violations and selling a Santa Rosa house

An open case complicates a sale because buyers, lenders and title companies ask about citations, penalties and unpaid amounts, and sellers generally must disclose known problems. Our statewide guide to selling as-is with unpermitted work and seller closing costs guide explain the disclosure and closing side. Santa Rosa owners typically choose among three paths:

• Correct the violation and have the city confirm compliance before listing.
• Disclose it and sell on the open market, often at a reduced price.
• Sell as-is to a cash buyer who handles the violation after closing, with any penalties settled from your proceeds.

Before choosing, collect every notice and citation, write down the 7-, 20- and 21-day deadlines, and ask the city for your current balance.

How to sell a house in Santa Rosa

1. Gather your notice of violation, citations and any hearing paperwork.
2. List deadlines and amounts owed, including late fees.
3. Request a no-obligation cash offer for the property as it stands.
4. Choose your closing date.
5. Close with no repairs required and penalties paid at closing.

Related Santa Rosa pages: selling as-is, selling fast and the cash offer process.

Frequently asked questions

How long do I have to pay a Santa Rosa administrative citation?

The penalty is due within 21 days of the citation date.

How do I contest a Santa Rosa citation?

Request a hearing in writing within 20 calendar days of the first citation, with the penalty deposit unless it is waived. You can also ask for a preliminary review within 7 days.

Does a preliminary review stop the clock?

No. It does not extend the compliance period, payment due date or hearing deadline.

What happens if I pay late?

A late fee of 50 percent of the fine applies, plus 10 percent more per month after 30 days, capped at 100 percent.

Can I appeal the hearing decision?

You can seek judicial review within 20 calendar days after the decision is served.

Can I sell a Santa Rosa home with an open code case?

Yes. You can disclose it and sell as-is, including to a cash buyer, and settle penalties at closing.

More guides

• We Buy Houses in Santa Rosa
• We Buy Houses in Sonoma County
• Santa Rosa Building Permits Guide
• Santa Rosa Zoning and ADU Guide
• All California Guides

Sources

• Santa Rosa City Code, Article VI: Administrative Citation
• Santa Rosa City Code, Article V: Collection of Administrative Fines and Penalties

This guide is general information from public sources, not legal advice. Confirm current rules with the city.